Painting

Title:

John Farmer

Object Name:

Painting

Object ID:

1945.008

Creator:

Sturm, Marjorie Prescott Rowell (1892-1960)Artist

Place of Origin:

Concord, NH

Date:

1945

Description:

Portrait of John Farmer (1789-1838), by Marjorie P. Sturm (1892-1960), 1945. Oil on academy board. Half-length portrait of a man, facing slightly left. Sitter has blonde hair brushed forward at sides and blue eyes. He is wearing a blue coat with brass buttons, gray waistcoat, white shirt with buttons and high collar, and white cravat. Blue, green, and purple background. Unsigned. Printed paper label on frame reverse: "FOSTER BROTHERS. / 4 PARK SQUARE / BOSTON / PICTURES AND FRAMES order No. 2445". Gilded gesso over wood frame with c-scrolls, shells and leaves.

Material:

Academy board

Dimensions:

H-28.9 W-22.4 inches

Provenance:

Purchased from artist. Commissioned by NHHS, copied from miniature (1928.011).

John Farmer was an antiquarian and genealogist, born June 12, 1789 in Chelmsford, MA. Attended a private school kept by Rev. H. Packard. In 1803, the family moved to Lyndeborough, NH, and John became a clerk in a store in Amherst, went to school, and studied medicine. His health was poor and he taught school for a few years. In 1821, he moved to Concord and opened an apothecary shop with Dr. Samuel Morrill. He produced a number of books in quick succession. He was one of the founders of NHHS - it was his idea; he was corresponding secretary, 1825-29. He was appointed by the state legislature to arrange and index the State Papers. He died August 13, 1838.

Credit Line:

New Hampshire Historical Society Purchase

People:

Farmer, John (1789-1838), Sturm, Marjorie Prescott Rowell (1892-1960)

Subjects:

Farmer, John, Portrait paintings, Portraits, Historians, Historical societies, History, Authors, Secretaries